Survival Instinct // Namkook

chapter 6 - the morning after

Jungkook woke up to the soft light of dawn filtering through the window of the old building. The storm had passed during the night, leaving behind a world that was battered and drenched. The air was still cold, but there was a fresh, clean scent that hinted at the rain’s end. He stirred from his uneasy sleep, stretching his limbs and wincing at the bruises and stiffness in his muscles from the hard concrete.

Namjoon was already awake, his tall frame leaning against the wall. His eyes were scanning the room with a focused intensity. Jungkook tried to ignore the lingering fear from last night and the soft warmth he felt from Namjoon’s jacket. It was hard to shake the image of the man’s reluctant kindness.

“Morning,” Jungkook said, his voice hoarse from sleep and the previous night’s emotional strain. He rubbed his eyes and tried to shake off the remnants of his nightmares.

Namjoon grunted in response, rising with a fluid motion that showed his readiness to leave. “We need to find food. The storm might’ve driven the more desperate ones out of hiding. It’ll be risky, but it’s our best shot.”

Jungkook nodded, pushing himself up and trying to shake off the lingering cold. He grabbed his few belongings, trying to ignore the discomfort of his bruises hurting with every motion. The jacket Namjoon had given him was still draped over his shoulders, a small but significant comfort. He couldn’t deny the warmth it provided, nor could he ignore the fact that it was Namjoon’s.

As they stepped out into the daylight, the devastation of the storm was immediately apparent. The streets were littered with debris, trees uprooted, and the occasional overturned vehicle. The storm had left the city in a mess — more than it was before — but it had also cleared out some of the immediate threats. Jungkook followed Namjoon closely, the man’s determined strides cutting through the destruction with practiced ease.

They made their way down the street, keeping an eye out for any signs of life or shelter. Namjoon led with confidence, scanning the area as if he had a map in his head. Jungkook’s nerves were on edge, but he was more focused on the practicalities of survival—the hunger in his stomach was a constant reminder of why they were out here.

“Keep an eye out for anything useful,” Namjoon said, his voice low and steady. “Food, medical supplies, weapons—anything that might come in handy.”

Jungkook nodded, trying to focus on the task at hand. He kept his eyes peeled for any signs of scavengers or danger, but the streets seemed eerily deserted. The quiet was almost unsettling, a stark contrast to the storm’s chaos.

As they turned a corner, Jungkook spotted a small convenience store, its windows shattered but its door still hanging on its hinges. He motioned to Namjoon, who nodded in agreement. They approached cautiously, Namjoon leading the way.

Inside, the store was a mess of toppled shelves and spilled goods. Previous intruders had done its damage here. Jungkook immediately started scanning the shelves for anything edible, his hands quickly brushing aside broken glass and debris. Searching in the cracks, bending over and looking inside and under every shelf Jungkook was disappointed when he found nothing more then dust and mold.

Then, after some more searching and lying down on the floor he finally managed to get a glimpse of a few cans of food—beans, soup, and some preserved meats under a topped over shelf. He tried to pry them out but the shelf was just too heavy. "Namjoon, I found something. Help me real quick." he muttered as he was tugging on one of the cans. No minute later Namjoon appeared next to him, eyeing him for a second. Then he squatted down, gripped the shelf with a firm grip and lifted it effortlessly –almost like he would do that daily.

Jungkook quickly got the cans out under the shelf before Namjoon dropped it with a loud thud.

Gulping the younger looked at Namjoon with a mixture of fear and relief. He was glad this man agreed to protect him instead of killing him or whatever because he wouldn't stand a chance against him, even in his wildest dreams.

"What?" Namjoon asked with a raised brow, noticing the stare. "Nothing." Jungkook imidiately mumbled, setting the cans down. “This should keep us going for a while,” he then said, his voice more hopeful than it had been in days.

Namjoon nodded approvingly, but his eyes remained vigilant. “Good. Let’s see if there’s anything else.”

As they continued to search, Jungkook found himself stealing glances at Namjoon. The man was focused and efficient, but there was something different about him today. His demeanor was slightly softer, less guarded. Jungkook wondered if it had anything to do with the previous night—the jacket, the way he had listened to Jungkook’s stories.

“Do you have a plan for after this?” Jungkook asked, trying to fill the silence with conversation. “I mean, once we’ve got enough supplies.”

Namjoon paused for a moment, his expression shifting to something unreadable. “I’m just trying to get through one day at a time,” he said finally. “Plans don’t always work out here.”

Jungkook nodded, understanding the sentiment. He was actually starting to admire Namjoon. Not only was he genuinely impressed by his strength and calmness but also just overall the way he handled himself and asserted his dominance was something Jungkook wished of having.

He turned back to his task, but the conversation lingered in his mind. The storm had cleared, and it might be time to consider finding a new shelter or a more permanent place to hold up.

They finished their scavenging and headed back to their temporary shelter. As they approached the building, Jungkook glanced at Namjoon. The man’s demeanor had shifted from the guarded, intimidating presence of the first night to someone who was almost approachable.

“Thanks, by the way,” Jungkook said, his voice sincere. “For the jacket and… well, for not making things worse.”

Namjoon gave him a curt nod, a hint of something softer in his eyes. “Just don’t make it a habit.”

Jungkook smiled faintly, knowing that there was a long way to go before he could fully understand the man beside him. But for now, he was grateful for the small moments of kindness in the midst of their harsh reality.

As they settled in again, opening a can of food each, the building was quieter, the threat of the storm replaced by the ordinary sounds of the post-apocalyptic world. Jungkook felt a cautious optimism, an inkling of hope that maybe, just maybe, things could get better.

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"Ordinary sounds of the post-apocaliptic world" ... Sry for that, I don't know what a post-apocaliptic world sound like.
(I wanted to make the atmosphere feel post-apocaliptic, that's why.)

just...imagine something that's not complete silence I guess ┐⁠(⁠ ⁠˘⁠_⁠˘⁠)⁠┌